What is this? A new chapter? After over two years?
…I'm sorry.
In my defence this was supposed to come out a lot earlier. Blame the laptop company for stuffing up my order and sending me faulty goods. And university. Blame university too.
Light swearing in this chapter. Also, it's long! Yay!
Chapter Thirteen: His Royal Highness (and his royal lowness)
"What are we doing here?"
"This is the Royal Palace, Hayasaka. You live here. Did you hit your head? Do you have amnesia? You should visit the apothecary."
"No you dimwit. What are we doing here?!" he furrowed his brows at her. "And why would I go to the apothecary if I had amnesia?"
"Dunno. It's the longest word I know," she shrugged. "Just wanted to use it."
Hayasaka and Mafuyu stood in front of a large mahogany door, the latter having raised her fist to knock on the wood.
"I'm gonna regret following you," Hayasaka muttered as she rapped her knuckles on the surface. There was a shuffling sound and the door creaked open to reveal a tall man with spiky black hair and a mischievous smirk on his lips. "You're late," he snorted.
"You never specified a time!" Mafuyu spluttered. "You just said to meet you after classes!"
"That means afternoon. Five o'clock is late afternoon, you idiot. Classes ended over an hour ago."
"Ugh, first Hayasaka and apothecaries, and now you talk to me about the difference between afternoons and late afternoons? You guys are such prudes! It's Hayasaka's fault anyway, it took me ages to find him."
Takaomi and Hayasaka shared look, but decided it was in their best interest to keep quiet. The older man sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, what's done is done. I need to give you guys something before you meet with the Prince." Before he could turn around, however, Hayasaka grabbed his shoulder, his face ashen.
"Prince? What?"
Takaomi raised an eyebrow. "You didn't tell him?" he directed at Mafuyu.
She averted her gaze. "Ah, well…"
He narrowed his eyes at her, shaking his head. "Hayasaka, you and Mafuyu have been called to be audience to the Prince this afternoon. Relax," he added when he saw the boy's eyes shimmer with panic. "I'm sure it's nothing serious. They probably want to intimidate you or something. Probably."
"Probably?!" Hayasaka shrieked. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. "I can't get expelled, Advisor Saeki. I can't. If this is because of the Juvenile Guard, then…then I'm sorry but I'm going to have to quit-"
"Hayasaka."
Hayasaka's eyes shifted to Mafuyu. She stood straight, her head held high, her eyes shining with hidden strength. "You're not alone. You won't get expelled. I'll protect you."
He started at her words, not knowing whether the feeling in his chest was wonder, or incredulity, or maybe a bit of both. A lady, defending a knight-to-be? He deflated. He had a lot to lose if he got expelled, but he was sure he wasn't the only one. "You're right. Plus we don't know what it's about. It's probably nothing." Probably. "So what's this thing you want to give us?"
Takaomi had been watching the exchange in silence, but at the prompt, he grinned. He reached behind the door and pulled out…two rabbit masks.
"I think Advisor Saeki has amnesia. He seems to think we are in the circus," Mafuyu deadpanned.
"I agree. Let's go to the apothecary," Hayasaka nodded and the two of them turned around simultaneously, only to hear a growl from behind them and then have ceramic masks painfully slapped against their faces.
"Enough fooling around," Takaomi muttered. It was an ironic statement seeing as the both of them were wearing rabbit masks, looking for all the world like they were "fooling around". The two of them tried to make this clear with groans and complaints and erratic hand movements but Takaomi flapped them away. "Take the invitation and go to the main palace entrance. And about the bunny masks? You'll thank me later. No matter what you do, do not take them off. The way they narrow your vision will help to divert some of the Prince's…charm." His lips twisted in a grimace.
Hayasaka and Mafuyu looked sceptically at one another, but they weren't about to disobey his orders in fear of his wrath. With a shrug and a wave, they made their way out into the courtyard.
As they walked down the wide and busy stone path that led to the palace entrance, Mafuyu realised that Hayasaka was shooting her strange looks quite frequently.
"If you want to confess, I'm sorry Hayasaka, but I want to focus on my studies for now…"
Hayasaka began gagging beneath the mask. He removed it, his face flushed with embarrassment. "No, it's just…it's not that, it's the fact that you look too much like Lady Bunny-man!"
Mafuyu froze. Oh crap. "What are you talking about? Please, I'm nothing like her!"
"No, you are. The body shape, the height. You really do look like her."
Mafuyu slowly reached for her mask, lowering it just enough so that her eyes peeked from above, flashing dangerously. "No. I. Do. Not."
Hayasaka felt goose-bumps travel down his back, and he swallowed thickly. He replaced his mask and laughed nervously. "Of course you don't! Sorry, I should get my eyes checked." As they continued on in silence, Mafuyu coughed lightly, feeling slightly sheepish for her behaviour.
"Look," she took a small compact mirror from the purse at her waist. "You look like her too! It's just the mask."
Hayasaka stared at his reflection. Hmm, she's right. He turned his head this way and that. He tried posing like Lady Bunny-man did. I kinda…feel invigorated. Powerful. I can do anything!
The poor girl shivered at the display he put on. Oh god, am I really like that?! So embarrassing! Before she could stop him or pretend she didn't know him, a smooth voice spoke in front of them
"I assume you are the Juvenile Guard."
They both looked up to see a man in the attire of the Royal Guard, soft brown hair tickling the tops of oval spectacles. He was either their age, or only a year or so older.
Mafuyu smiled politely, but of course, the guard couldn't see it. The creepy bunny smile would have to do. "Yes we are." She handed over the invitation.
The guard skimmed through it with a nod and turned around. "Please follow me."
She glanced at Hayasaka and he shrugged, so they followed the boy in contemplative silence. He took them through into the palace hall, up a few winding staircases and then made a detour into a smaller side room.
Although the room was smaller than Mafuyu had anticipated, it was no less grand than the palace itself. The room itself was small only in comparison to hall expectations – it was least twice as big as her house. The polished tiles reflected her image, as did the countless ornaments that decorated the floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Books of ancient lore mixed with scientific journals and romantic poetry were shelved amongst them. A beautiful hand-carved oak table rested before wall-length windows bordered by lush red drapes. And sitting by the table was a boy who radiated a serene kind of beauty, a beauty that left you breathless. A beauty you knew you could never touch.
"Thank you, Shinobu," the angel said sweetly. The guard, Shinobu, bowed deeply. "Now, welcome to the Royal Palace, Lady Kurosaki. Squire Hayasaka." He turned to the guard. "Shinobu, you are dismissed. I wish to speak to them privately."
Shinobu stiffened. "But, Your Highness, to leave you alone-"
"These are my subjects. They won't lay a finger on me," he insisted. "I will see you later."
"As you wish," Shinobu bowed with pursed lips and exited the room.
Mafuyu realised her mouth was hanging open. She quickly closed it and swallowed. She was about to bow as well when she realised she was a Lady, not a knight! She quickly switched to a low curtsy. "Your Highness."
Hayasaka was silent, but jolted when Mafuyu elbowed him. "Your Highness," he bowed, voice hoarse.
The Prince smiled. "What are those dreadful masks? Please, I wish to see your faces when I speak to you."
The two hesitated, their minds wondering whether listening to the Prince outweighed Takaomi's wrath. It probably didn't.
"Well, you see, it is a symbol of how we are the…uh, hidden protectors of the, uh…realm…" Mafuyu finished lamely, but the Prince frowned slightly.
"I see, but I would love it so much if you would. I want to see the face of my subjects."
"What did you wish to speak about?" Hayasaka asked quickly, changing the subject.
The Prince's eyes glittered. "You are a very capable pair. You have lessened the number of delinquents and increased our popularity. Congratulations. But," he raised a finger. "Your…advisor is Saeki, yes? Well, there are a few things you don't know about him. Things he is keeping secret from you. If your advisor doesn't trust you, how can the palace?"
Mafuyu furrowed her eyebrows. Keeping secret? "Well, everyone has a right to keep secrets."
The Prince hummed in approval. "Yes, but not this one. But I'm sorry, I cannot tell you if you do not remove your masks. It is quite unsettling talking to two eerie-faced rabbits."
Mafuyu wanted to know, but… "It is not your secret to tell, Your Highness."
His eyes flashed, very briefly. "If you knew it, you would know that it is very much my secret to tell. It has a lot to do with me. Now, remove your masks."
"Fine," Hayasaka swiftly removed his mask. "I've had enough of Saeki messing with me. I want to get back at him, even a little bit."
Mafuyu sighed, but couldn't blame him. She went to do the same. Takaomi was a manipulative bastard. There was probably no real reason to keep the masks on anyway.
The second she removed her mask and laid her eyes on the Prince, she knew something was wrong. He was so beautiful it hurt. He was shining and absolutely radiant. She squinted, and looked at Hayasaka. He lay on the floor, unmoving.
"Hayasaka!" she ran to his side and shook him by the shoulders. "Hey! What's wrong?!" she looked up at that angelic face, a face that was grinning at her with mischief. "You…what did you do to him?"
"Oh," the Prince mused. "Lady Kurosaki, your will is strong. It seems my charms are taking a little longer to work on you."
A hard grip on her wrist stopped her from responding. She looked down to see Hayasaka get up and fix her with a cold stare. "Who the hell do you think you're talking to like that, you lowlife?" he growled.
"Haya…" Mafuyu gaped.
"Hayasaka, please, she is a lady. Treat her with respect," the Prince leaned back in his chair.
"Prince Miyabi," Hayasaka's face flushed a deep crimson. "My apologies, but please don't look at me so intently. I am undeserving of your attention," he swooned. He swooned!
"Hayasaka, get a grip!" Mafuyu glared at the Prince, but the more she looked at him, the more she felt dizzy…he was so dazzling…like a princess…a princess she had to protect, as her duty as a knight. Of course!
She dropped down on one knee, a hand to her heart and the other on the ground. "My lord, I am your sword and shield," she began reciting. "I am your eyes when you cannot see, your voice when you cannot be heard, your will is my command."
"Prince Miyabi…isn't that the oath knights take when they are bound to a lord?" Hayasaka was viewing the spectacle with shock and horror.
"Indeed," the Prince chuckled, amused.
"My life is yours, as yours is mine to protect. Unto death, I will serve. As long as the sun rises and under the stars' grace, I will serve." She stood up, walked to the desk and took the Prince's hand. "It is my pleasure to serve such a beautiful being." She kissed his hand.
Hayasaka lifted his nose into the air and planted his hands on his lips. "Kurosaki! How dare you?! Prince Miyabi is mine to serve!"
"My lord does not need a vain woman like yourself!" Mafuyu snapped. "Only I, with my years of experience, am worthy to serve His Royal Highness!"
"I feel as though their gender roles have swapped. How utterly entertaining," Miyabi snorted. "I will make good use of you two."
"I'm afraid I found them first, Miyabi."
Miyabi's sharp gaze flitted to the door. Advisor Saeki was standing by the entrance with a handkerchief tied around his nose and mouth, and as he walked in, an absolutely horrendous smell followed. Miyabi's nose scrunched up and he lifted his own handkerchief to his face.
"Takaomi. You smell horrific."
"It's not me, it's this," he lifted a small brown bag. "Great for knocking people out, or so the apothecary said. Useful against your god-awful trances. You should use those for something else other than entertaining yourself. I hope you didn't say anything unnecessary."
"I was never going to tell them anything, don't you worry," Miyabi's smile was deceptively saccharine.
"Intruder!" Mafuyu suddenly snapped when she saw Takaomi, and positioned herself in front of the prince.
"Oh no!" Hayasaka squealed, "Call the guards!"
Takaomi just lifted his eyes to the heavens, then dangled the bag in front of the two students. They stared at it for a few seconds, before their eyes rolled up in their heads and they collapsed on the ground. He grabbed them by their collars and bodily dragged them out.
"Poisoning your own students? What a terrible advisor," Miyabi called out.
"Don't worry, they're not dead. They'll be back," Takaomi said over his shoulder. "You and your father aren't getting away that easily, Miyabi." And with that, he slammed the door closed.
Miyabi was still staring at the door a long time after it had shut behind them. "So, a foolish king versus a witty advisor? What a game. I couldn't care less about father's stupid decisions." His lips pulled back in a wicked smile, a deep and dark emotion residing within the depths of his dark eyes. "But being the villainous mastermind? Now that…sounds like fun."
I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but although my story and the original intersect quite often, I do have my own slightly different plans for it. I'm also not planning on having this go for as long as the manga, since the manga is not even complete yet. But this story is still far from over! As you can see, I'm beginning to introduce characters faster and also skipping some side events.
I hope you continue to stick around, even given my erratic updates, and as always thank you for reading! :D